Traveling with babies is super challenging, and having the right food and baby items for them can make things slightly easier. Airplanes don’t typically have food for babies, so most parents have the same query: can you take baby food on a plane?
Baby food that includes solids, liquids, purees, and powders is allowed on planes in reasonable quantities to last the journey. Baby food is not subject to the liquid rules for hand luggage and is also allowed in checked baggage. All baby food items must be removed from carry-ons for separate screening.
Can You Take Baby Puree Jars On A Plane?
Fights can be long, and weaning babies can only eat specific types of baby food, such as puréed fruits and vegetables. Whether you make your baby’s purée at home or buy the jars from the supermarket, it will be permitted on the plane.
You can pack as many as required for the destination in your checked luggage and carry what you need in your baby bag or carry-on for the flight duration. It does not only have to be pureed fruits and veggies, but pureed chicken, rice, etc., are also permitted.
Baby purees are not subject to the TSA liquid rule, so it doesn’t need to be less than 3.4 oz or 100 ml. Baby food that exceeds that amount in reasonable quantities (to last the flight) will be permitted regardless of the size.
Can You Take Snacks For Babies On A Plane?
Baby food snacks like finger foods, crackers, cut-up fruit and veggies, candy, chips, etc., are allowed on planes in hand and checked luggage. There are no restrictions for quantities in checked baggage.
For hand baggage, pack as much as you need for the journey. There are typically no restrictions on solid foods, so if you know that having extra snacks for little ones will make the flight easier, pack as much as you need.
Solid snack foods don’t need to be removed from your bags for separate screening; however, if you have a lot, it could obstruct the view on the screens, and TSA agents may request that you remove the items for additional screening.
Can You Take Cooked Food For Babies On A Plane?
Cooked food like rice, chicken, steamed vegetables, etc., for babies, are allowed on planes regardless of whether they are pureed or solid. The general rule for pureed food is that it falls under the liquid category. That, however, does not apply to baby food.
Cooked food can be packed in checked luggage and carry-on bags. Remember to keep in coolers with ice packs, especially for long flights. Ice packs must be frozen solid, and all the food must be removed from your bags for separate screening at security checkpoints.
Can You Carry Baby Formula Powder On A Plane?
Baby milk formula is permitted on planes in checked luggage and hand baggage. Powders are typically allowed in larger quantities in carry-on bags but recommended that 12 oz and above should be packed in checked bags.
If you take baby formula on a plane in hand luggage, pack what you need for the flight duration (and a little extra for emergencies). Place the rest in your checked baggage. You can pack formula powder or premix the milk – both are allowed on a plane.
The milk in liquid form for babies is not subject to the TSA 3-1-1 rule. Passengers are allowed to take milk bottles filled with milk that exceeds 3.4 oz or 100 ml.
Can You Carry Breastmilk On A Plane?
Breastmilk is allowed on planes in checked luggage and carry-on bags. Some mothers pump milk before traveling to feed their babies from a bottle on the flight. Breast milk that exceeds 3.4 oz or 100 ml will be allowed.
Breastmilk is also allowed without a baby. Many mothers pump milk on a trip away to keep it flowing and save the milk to take back for their babies. Breastmilk is permitted in carry-on or checked luggage.
Can You Pack Baby Food Pouches On A Plane?
Baby food puree pouches, the puree jars are allowed on planes in checked luggage without restriction. You can also pack them in hand luggage even if they exceed 3.4 oz or 100 ml. Pouches are easy and an excellent option for young kids on a plane.
Baby food pouches do not have to be packed in quart-sized transparent plastics, and you can take as many pouches in your carry-on as you need to last your baby for the duration of the flight as a food or snack option.
You can also pack baby food pouches that you make yourself at home if you only give your baby homemade food. Keep it fresh by packing it in a cooler with ice packs, especially for longer flights.
Can You Carry A Flask In Your Baby Bag On A Plane?
Passengers are not typically allowed a flask in carry-on luggage unless it is empty or less than 3.4 oz or 100 ml. Passengers with babies that use formula milk are permitted flasks filled with water or milk, even if it is more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml.
Carrying a filled flask for baby formula requires a present baby for the flask to be permitted. You will also have to remove it from your baby bag or carry-on for separate and additional screening at airport security checkpoints.
Can You Take Baby Food Into The US?
Passengers are permitted to take baby food into the US domestically and internationally. If you carry baby edibles from a foreign country into the United States, ensure to declare every item. Failing to declare may result in fines.
Can You Take Baby Food Internationally Out Of The US?
Passengers can carry baby food and snacks on international flights out of the US; however, always double-check the airline you fly to see if they have any specific regulations or guidelines for packing and traveling with baby food.
It is also vital to determine the rules of entering your destination with food items because some countries don’t allow certain items. Canada does not allow meat, Australia does not allow fruits and vegetables, and the UK and other EU countries also have restrictions.
Doing your homework before packing for your travels can save you time and trouble at airports. Ensuring you don’t have food that is not allowed will also keep you from losing the items at security checkpoints.
Do Airplanes Provide Baby Food?
If you don’t need to pack specific foods other than a few snacks your slightly older kid would enjoy, you can consider requesting baby food for the flight. Many airlines provide baby food, but you must make a request when booking or checking in.
For airlines that do not provide complimentary meals, you will have to pay additionally for a baby meal. Kids under two years of age only have the option of a pureed meal. They do not offer any other types of food for children under two.
You can request a children’s meal for kids above two years old. It is always best to pack food you know your babies and kids will like and eat. That way, they can have a calmer and more enjoyable flight.
